Siberian Husky Training - A Difficult Task

Siberian Husky training is not an easy thing and can be quite challenging to an inexperienced owner. They are an intelligent kind of dog with very high energy. Many people find them to be quite stubborn also. This is a type of breed where the owner must show the dog that they are the ones in charge from the start. If not, then a Husky can become very difficult to manage as they grow older.

The reason that training a Siberian Husky can be challenging is because they are very smart and very opportunistic. They also get bored very easily. They must be engaged and challenged for something to be interesting to them.

Once the owner brings a Husky to their home, dominance must be shown right away. They are pack dogs and who is alpha is very important to them. Once the owner is established as the alpha, the dog will respect the owner and training will go much easier. The dog will look to their owner for guidance in what it is allowed and not allowed to do.

If the owner decides to put their Husky through obedience training, they are probably in for a challenge. Huskies are able to distinguish different situations. So, they may behave perfectly at the obedience class, but totally ignore the owner at home. To fix this, constant correction and repetition is needed. This is easier to do when the dog is younger rather than when they reach the adult stage and they are set in their ways.

Many first time owners of this kind of breed do not realize that Siberian Huskies are a working breed. This means they have been bred to work. Huskies can preform these tasks and enjoy doing it effortlessly and happily. If they do not have something to do, they can become very destructive. Their energy can be well spent in playing, as a jogging companion, or having enough contained space that allows them to run.

Siberians also have a very strong prey drive. This could mean trouble if the dog is allowed to roam the neighborhood at their own free will. They will hunt small animals such as squirrels, rodents, and even cats. They must be contained and controlled at all times. Fences should be at least 6 feet high, and sometimes even have fencing along the top to prevent the Husky from escaping.

Siberian Huskies are also known as diggers. They often dig holes to have a place to cool off. Training them to dig in an allowed part of the yard will help with this problem. Such as, creating almost a sand box with loose dirt for them to play in. Hiding treats in the loose dirt will help entice them to come to that area also.